Esther Landhuis
@elandhuis.bsky.social
Freelance science & health journalist (www.estherlandhuis.com). Mom of teens. Aspiring drummer. San Francisco Bay Area
More than anything I've reported last decade, this @undark.org feature on #PANDAS showed me how profit-driven healthcare keeps US specialists siloed & unable to coordinate care. Many thanks @asjahq.bsky.social for supporting our work! Links to award-winning stories: www.asja.org/announcing-t...
July 23, 2025 at 6:46 PM
More than anything I've reported last decade, this @undark.org feature on #PANDAS showed me how profit-driven healthcare keeps US specialists siloed & unable to coordinate care. Many thanks @asjahq.bsky.social for supporting our work! Links to award-winning stories: www.asja.org/announcing-t...
Incredible reporting by @saratalpos.bsky.social for @undark.org
undark.org/2025/05/27/j...
Focuses on principles over politics, showing how a scientist became "controversial" for asking fair questions that deserved more attention and dialogue
undark.org/2025/05/27/j...
Focuses on principles over politics, showing how a scientist became "controversial" for asking fair questions that deserved more attention and dialogue
Amid Turbulence, the NIH's Jay Bhattacharya Era Begins
Pandemic policies prompted his call for public health reform. But allies wonder if he can deliver it as a Trump insider.
undark.org
June 3, 2025 at 6:14 PM
Incredible reporting by @saratalpos.bsky.social for @undark.org
undark.org/2025/05/27/j...
Focuses on principles over politics, showing how a scientist became "controversial" for asking fair questions that deserved more attention and dialogue
undark.org/2025/05/27/j...
Focuses on principles over politics, showing how a scientist became "controversial" for asking fair questions that deserved more attention and dialogue
The physicians who trusted me with their painful, complicated journeys deserve this award!
Shout-out to @brookeborel.bsky.social & Jane Reza @undark.org for terrific editing & fact-checking
Fuller thoughts on LinkedIn:
bit.ly/4cRa1tj
Shout-out to @brookeborel.bsky.social & Jane Reza @undark.org for terrific editing & fact-checking
Fuller thoughts on LinkedIn:
bit.ly/4cRa1tj
April 29, 2025 at 6:27 PM
The physicians who trusted me with their painful, complicated journeys deserve this award!
Shout-out to @brookeborel.bsky.social & Jane Reza @undark.org for terrific editing & fact-checking
Fuller thoughts on LinkedIn:
bit.ly/4cRa1tj
Shout-out to @brookeborel.bsky.social & Jane Reza @undark.org for terrific editing & fact-checking
Fuller thoughts on LinkedIn:
bit.ly/4cRa1tj
#foodallergy sufferers: Would you rather get a shot every 2-4 weeks or consume your allergens(s) daily?
My story @medscape.com on new data from research trial addressing this Q — latest from my "medicine is rarely black and white" beat 🤪
www.medscape.com/viewarticle/...
My story @medscape.com on new data from research trial addressing this Q — latest from my "medicine is rarely black and white" beat 🤪
www.medscape.com/viewarticle/...
Omalizumab vs Oral Immunotherapy: No Clear Winner
OUtMATCH 2/3: Among trial finishers, omalizumab and oral immunotherapy offered similar protection against food allergies, and some people could introduce allergens into their diet after stopping omali...
www.medscape.com
March 12, 2025 at 9:29 PM
#foodallergy sufferers: Would you rather get a shot every 2-4 weeks or consume your allergens(s) daily?
My story @medscape.com on new data from research trial addressing this Q — latest from my "medicine is rarely black and white" beat 🤪
www.medscape.com/viewarticle/...
My story @medscape.com on new data from research trial addressing this Q — latest from my "medicine is rarely black and white" beat 🤪
www.medscape.com/viewarticle/...
My first story for AARP, on pre-symotomatic #Alzheimer's Dx - now possible with blood tests, but advisable?
www.aarp.org/health/brain...
www.aarp.org/health/brain...
Diagnosing Alzheimer’s in People With No Symptoms
Diagnosing Alzheimer's disease before people have any symptoms is possible, but brings up concerns when so few treatments are available
www.aarp.org
March 6, 2025 at 5:21 PM
My first story for AARP, on pre-symotomatic #Alzheimer's Dx - now possible with blood tests, but advisable?
www.aarp.org/health/brain...
www.aarp.org/health/brain...
Health journalism+jazz drumming in 1 post w/ shared theme: improv!
First, "thought aloud on mic" w/ @mcgowankat.bsky.social @alokpatelmd.bsky.social @ 1/13 JPM healthcare writers reception (📸 Kathleen Sheffer Photography)
Then took drumsticks 🥁 across town & sat in for a tune @SFJAZZ jam session
First, "thought aloud on mic" w/ @mcgowankat.bsky.social @alokpatelmd.bsky.social @ 1/13 JPM healthcare writers reception (📸 Kathleen Sheffer Photography)
Then took drumsticks 🥁 across town & sat in for a tune @SFJAZZ jam session
January 22, 2025 at 12:34 AM
Health journalism+jazz drumming in 1 post w/ shared theme: improv!
First, "thought aloud on mic" w/ @mcgowankat.bsky.social @alokpatelmd.bsky.social @ 1/13 JPM healthcare writers reception (📸 Kathleen Sheffer Photography)
Then took drumsticks 🥁 across town & sat in for a tune @SFJAZZ jam session
First, "thought aloud on mic" w/ @mcgowankat.bsky.social @alokpatelmd.bsky.social @ 1/13 JPM healthcare writers reception (📸 Kathleen Sheffer Photography)
Then took drumsticks 🥁 across town & sat in for a tune @SFJAZZ jam session
Thrilled that my Undark features on PANDAS/PANS, direct-to-consumer allergy SLIT drops & OTC hearing aids won an award from the Society of Professional Journalists NorCal chapter!
Thanks @brookeborel.bsky.social @saratalpos.bsky.social for edits & encouragement!
spjnorcal.org/2024/10/30/s...
Thanks @brookeborel.bsky.social @saratalpos.bsky.social for edits & encouragement!
spjnorcal.org/2024/10/30/s...
October 31, 2024 at 7:29 PM
Thrilled that my Undark features on PANDAS/PANS, direct-to-consumer allergy SLIT drops & OTC hearing aids won an award from the Society of Professional Journalists NorCal chapter!
Thanks @brookeborel.bsky.social @saratalpos.bsky.social for edits & encouragement!
spjnorcal.org/2024/10/30/s...
Thanks @brookeborel.bsky.social @saratalpos.bsky.social for edits & encouragement!
spjnorcal.org/2024/10/30/s...
Reposted by Esther Landhuis
Caregivers, parents, @sciencewriters.org has a virtual meetup for you. 10/9, 1PM ET. Please join me, @elandhuis.bsky.social @sarahderouin.bsky.social and @sciam.bsky.social 's Lauren Young and @tanyalewis.bsky.social for off-the-record convos and camaraderie. www.nasw.org/events/nasw-...
Virtual Networking Social: Caregivers Support
This latest NASW Virtual Networking Social is brought to you by the NASW Freelance Committee.
www.nasw.org
September 24, 2024 at 7:22 PM
Caregivers, parents, @sciencewriters.org has a virtual meetup for you. 10/9, 1PM ET. Please join me, @elandhuis.bsky.social @sarahderouin.bsky.social and @sciam.bsky.social 's Lauren Young and @tanyalewis.bsky.social for off-the-record convos and camaraderie. www.nasw.org/events/nasw-...
A ~1,500-word riff on how #jazz #drumming could help my #journalism!
Thanks to @kategammon.bsky.social for encouraging me to turn recent FB ramblings into something more coherent :) niemanstoryboard.org/stories/musi...
Thanks to @kategammon.bsky.social for encouraging me to turn recent FB ramblings into something more coherent :) niemanstoryboard.org/stories/musi...
Bang that keyboard and jazz up your writing | Nieman Storyboard
A freelance science journalist took up drumming, dared to jam some jazz — and found a way to do fast-jazz story drafts.
niemanstoryboard.org
August 30, 2024 at 7:40 PM
A ~1,500-word riff on how #jazz #drumming could help my #journalism!
Thanks to @kategammon.bsky.social for encouraging me to turn recent FB ramblings into something more coherent :) niemanstoryboard.org/stories/musi...
Thanks to @kategammon.bsky.social for encouraging me to turn recent FB ramblings into something more coherent :) niemanstoryboard.org/stories/musi...
Say what? The brainstem not only controls core functions such as HR, BP, breathing ...but also, responses to infection. And this immunology finding came from a taste lab! Thanks @hanner.bsky.social for asking me to write this for @quantamagazine.bsky.social!
www.quantamagazine.org/the-brainste...
www.quantamagazine.org/the-brainste...
The Brainstem Fine-Tunes Inflammation Throughout the Body | Quanta Magazine
The evolutionarily ancient part of the brain that controls breathing and heart rate also regulates the immune system — a discovery about the brain-body axis made by experts on taste.
www.quantamagazine.org
June 17, 2024 at 3:33 PM
Say what? The brainstem not only controls core functions such as HR, BP, breathing ...but also, responses to infection. And this immunology finding came from a taste lab! Thanks @hanner.bsky.social for asking me to write this for @quantamagazine.bsky.social!
www.quantamagazine.org/the-brainste...
www.quantamagazine.org/the-brainste...
So radical. So sensible.
tradeoffs.org/2024/06/06/n...
tradeoffs.org/2024/06/06/n...
A New Kind of Primary Care Comes to America - Tradeoffs
A group of nurses in East Baltimore is piloting a bold plan to bring basic primary care to everybody no matter their age, income or insurance.
tradeoffs.org
June 12, 2024 at 7:50 PM
So radical. So sensible.
tradeoffs.org/2024/06/06/n...
tradeoffs.org/2024/06/06/n...
My latest for JAMA. Dire headline but focuses on solutions - eg PCR test showing if patient responds to "older" antibiotic, modeling study suggesting how to deploy new drugs w/ national surveillance on shoestring budget.
@yhgrad.bsky.social @jenabbasi.bsky.social
jamanetwork.com/journals/jam...
@yhgrad.bsky.social @jenabbasi.bsky.social
jamanetwork.com/journals/jam...
“Super Gonorrhea” Has Arrived
This Medical News article discusses approaches to slow the spread of antimicrobial resistance in Neisseria gonorrhoeae.
jamanetwork.com
May 3, 2024 at 5:59 PM
My latest for JAMA. Dire headline but focuses on solutions - eg PCR test showing if patient responds to "older" antibiotic, modeling study suggesting how to deploy new drugs w/ national surveillance on shoestring budget.
@yhgrad.bsky.social @jenabbasi.bsky.social
jamanetwork.com/journals/jam...
@yhgrad.bsky.social @jenabbasi.bsky.social
jamanetwork.com/journals/jam...
My attempt at capturing 2 decades of #Alzheimers drug development in 2,300 words! View from scientific trenches: amyloid immunotherapy from basic science to clinic.
Full issue here (www.scientificamerican.com/custom-media...)
www.scientificamerican.com/custom-media...
Full issue here (www.scientificamerican.com/custom-media...)
www.scientificamerican.com/custom-media...
Scientific American
Amyloid immunotherapies took 20 years to reach the clinic. Scientists are testing new types of therapies they hope could deliver stronger benefits and fewer side effects
www.scientificamerican.com
April 16, 2024 at 11:07 PM
My attempt at capturing 2 decades of #Alzheimers drug development in 2,300 words! View from scientific trenches: amyloid immunotherapy from basic science to clinic.
Full issue here (www.scientificamerican.com/custom-media...)
www.scientificamerican.com/custom-media...
Full issue here (www.scientificamerican.com/custom-media...)
www.scientificamerican.com/custom-media...
My latest feature explores a hard-to-define condition that raises Qs re biological roots of mental illness. But this controversial diagnosis is getting more accepted, particularly as it strikes the children of healthcare providers.
The most challenging piece I've done!
undark.org/2024/04/03/p...
The most challenging piece I've done!
undark.org/2024/04/03/p...
When Infection Sparks Obsession: PANDAS and PANS
A controversial diagnosis is increasingly accepted among doctors. Finding care remains out of reach for many families.
undark.org
April 4, 2024 at 1:04 PM
My latest feature explores a hard-to-define condition that raises Qs re biological roots of mental illness. But this controversial diagnosis is getting more accepted, particularly as it strikes the children of healthcare providers.
The most challenging piece I've done!
undark.org/2024/04/03/p...
The most challenging piece I've done!
undark.org/2024/04/03/p...
March 19, 2024 at 3:05 PM
What if disease-modifying therapies for #Alzheimers were evaluated by "time saved" rather than slowed rates of cognitive decline?
My first piece for Nature Index
www.nature.com/articles/d41...
My first piece for Nature Index
www.nature.com/articles/d41...
Researchers call for a major rethink of how Alzheimer’s treatments are evaluated
An approach that aims to quantify how long a drug can delay or halt the progression of disease is gathering steam. An approach that aims to quantify how long a drug can delay or halt the progression o...
www.nature.com
March 14, 2024 at 2:45 PM
What if disease-modifying therapies for #Alzheimers were evaluated by "time saved" rather than slowed rates of cognitive decline?
My first piece for Nature Index
www.nature.com/articles/d41...
My first piece for Nature Index
www.nature.com/articles/d41...
Thanks @bmaher.bsky.social @ Kendall Powell for noticing my tweet last fall & letting it inspire this listicle-style piece for Nature Careers! www.nature.com/articles/d41...
11 reasons why we’ve stayed in academia
Although many postdocs and faculty members are leaving for industry or elsewhere, these researchers tell us why they love the academic life. Although many postdocs and faculty members are leaving for ...
www.nature.com
March 12, 2024 at 5:06 PM
Thanks @bmaher.bsky.social @ Kendall Powell for noticing my tweet last fall & letting it inspire this listicle-style piece for Nature Careers! www.nature.com/articles/d41...
During the pandemic @carmendrahl.bsky.social set up occasional Zoom calls for NASW members who work while tending children & loved ones. Now we're offering a way to find a peer buddy to connect 1:1 — for all #caregiving NASW members, not just freelancers. Check it out!
www.nasw.org/article/nasw...
www.nasw.org/article/nasw...
Connection for Caregivers: Introducing NASW’s peer buddy resource pilot project
The Freelance Committee of the National Association of Science Writers launches a new pilot program serving NASW members juggling careers and caregiving.
www.nasw.org
February 1, 2024 at 5:51 PM
During the pandemic @carmendrahl.bsky.social set up occasional Zoom calls for NASW members who work while tending children & loved ones. Now we're offering a way to find a peer buddy to connect 1:1 — for all #caregiving NASW members, not just freelancers. Check it out!
www.nasw.org/article/nasw...
www.nasw.org/article/nasw...
So true. All. The. Time.
January 30, 2024 at 6:26 AM
So true. All. The. Time.
ICYMI: Delightful storytelling in this Science cover feature by David Grimm
www.science.org/content/arti...
www.science.org/content/arti...
‘Not dumb creatures.’ Livestock surprise scientists with their complex, emotional minds
A growing field of research is challenging long-held assumptions about goats, pigs, and other farm animals
www.science.org
January 22, 2024 at 5:25 PM
ICYMI: Delightful storytelling in this Science cover feature by David Grimm
www.science.org/content/arti...
www.science.org/content/arti...
For a while (especially during the pandemic) I've been uneasy about the kneejerk response to root out misinformation, which often is not rooted in malice. Love this thought-provoking take by @saratalpos.bsky.social
undark.org/2024/01/08/c...
undark.org/2024/01/08/c...
Did the Battle Against 'Misinformation' Go Too Far?
The pandemic brought a massive effort to limit the spread of bad health information. Did it do more harm than good?
undark.org
January 10, 2024 at 8:15 PM
For a while (especially during the pandemic) I've been uneasy about the kneejerk response to root out misinformation, which often is not rooted in malice. Love this thought-provoking take by @saratalpos.bsky.social
undark.org/2024/01/08/c...
undark.org/2024/01/08/c...
Reposted by Esther Landhuis
Start your new work year off strong by joining our upcoming Connector Chat: Best Practices for Pitching Freelance Stories. Featuring @robinlloyd.bsky.social, Victoria Jaggard, @elandhuis.bsky.social and Debbie Ponchner.
To register: bit.ly/casw-pitching
To register: bit.ly/casw-pitching
January 5, 2024 at 6:45 PM
Start your new work year off strong by joining our upcoming Connector Chat: Best Practices for Pitching Freelance Stories. Featuring @robinlloyd.bsky.social, Victoria Jaggard, @elandhuis.bsky.social and Debbie Ponchner.
To register: bit.ly/casw-pitching
To register: bit.ly/casw-pitching
On one level, a public health story on hearing aids - though what most stood out to me while reporting were the vastly different cultures of medicine (evidence-driven) & engineering (innovation-driven)
Many thanks @brookeborel.bsky.social for superb editing as usual
undark.org/2023/12/27/o...
Many thanks @brookeborel.bsky.social for superb editing as usual
undark.org/2023/12/27/o...
Why Aren’t More People Buying Over-The-Counter Hearing Aids?
In the U.S., millions of adults have hearing loss. Will consumer tech help sway them toward hearing aids?
undark.org
January 2, 2024 at 11:22 PM
On one level, a public health story on hearing aids - though what most stood out to me while reporting were the vastly different cultures of medicine (evidence-driven) & engineering (innovation-driven)
Many thanks @brookeborel.bsky.social for superb editing as usual
undark.org/2023/12/27/o...
Many thanks @brookeborel.bsky.social for superb editing as usual
undark.org/2023/12/27/o...
Recent provocative data reinvigorates an age-old question, but after talking with scientists who've spent decades puzzling over this, what struck me most was how much remains ...a big puzzle. My latest for @sciam.bsky.social
www.scientificamerican.com/article/coul...
www.scientificamerican.com/article/coul...
Could Blood Transfusions and Tissue Transplants Spread Certain Dementias?
Scattered evidence suggests that aberrant proteins act as “seeds” to transmit neurodegenerative disease, but the jury is still out
www.scientificamerican.com
December 4, 2023 at 3:57 PM
Recent provocative data reinvigorates an age-old question, but after talking with scientists who've spent decades puzzling over this, what struck me most was how much remains ...a big puzzle. My latest for @sciam.bsky.social
www.scientificamerican.com/article/coul...
www.scientificamerican.com/article/coul...
Nice reporting by @goes_by_kim. Tackled hot topic in a piece that doesn't oversimplify yet doesn't run long! www.scientificamerican.com/article/prec...
Precision Cancer Drugs Glitter with Promise--If You Can Get Them
A growing arsenal of genetically tailored oncology treatments have spectacular results, but scope and access remain limited
www.scientificamerican.com
November 13, 2023 at 9:16 PM
Nice reporting by @goes_by_kim. Tackled hot topic in a piece that doesn't oversimplify yet doesn't run long! www.scientificamerican.com/article/prec...